Nfl 'Insider' Predicts Johnson-marino Blowup

Dolphins notebook

Fred Edelstein, the so-called NFL ''insider'' who predicted the league would never suspend Michael Irvin, says Jimmy Johnson and Dan Marino are headed for ''a blowup.''

Writing in his weekly America Online column, Edelstein, citing his usual mysterious sources, contends Marino and Johnson are ''men who seem too egocentric to go through such a disappointment (not making the playoffs) without going at each other.''

Edelstein, who previously worked for ESPN until his services were no longer required, specializes in making a lot of wild predictions.

Also this week, in what might be one of his more laughable forecasts, he said sources close to Steve Spurrier told him the University of Florida coach is eyeing the Dolphins' head-coaching job.

Huh? Doesn't Johnson have a contract through 1999? Yes, Edelstein acknowledges, but, Jimmy has a history of short stays in coaching jobs and ''when Jimmy leaves, if the situation is right, Steve will take a close look at the Dolphins.''

NOT A CHANCE

MARINO WAS asked how he feels about Karim Abdul-Jabbar closing in on 1,000 rushing yards (he's at 964) - trying to become the first Miami player to hit 1,000 since Delvin Williams in 1978. ''I doubt he'll get it, because we're probably going to throw 80 times against the Jets,'' Marino said, joking.